Mountain Blog

Abbey Neerken - Thursday, February 12, 2015

Find relaxation, romance and recreation this Valentine’s Day at Crystal Mountain. Spend the day being pampered on site at the award-wining Crystal Spa, or explore the property looking for a prize-redeemable heart in our Where Is the Love scavenger hunt. Finish the day with a tasty entrée from the Thistle Pub and Grille or Wild Tomato dining room, or order out from the Little Betsie Bistro.

Planning to hit the slopes this Valentine’s Day? Look for the hearts and win a prize in our Where is the Love Scavenger Hunt – including a 2015/16 Premier Ski Season Pass!

Hearts of all sizes are hidden throughout the Crystal Mountain property, both outdoors and inside. From the ski slopes to the Clipper Café, from Tickets and Rental to the Burton Riglet Park, hearts are everywhere! Return your heart to the location specified on the heart, and redeem it for prizes ranging from Crystal Mountain swag, resort gift cards and spa vouchers to lift ticket discounts. The smallest heart is redeemable for a 2015/16 Season Pass! Our heart hunt begins at 9am on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015, and ends when the ski lifts close.

One prize per person, any age can participate. Hearts cannot be redeemed after February 14, 2015 – so be sure to turn yours in on Saturday. Hearts have no cash value and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

Visit the Park at Water’s Edge and Explore the Outdoors with your Valentine:

Kids can stop by the Park at Water's Edge for FREE face painting and a fun Heart Search for candy!
*Reservations required. Call the Park at Water's Edge, 888.968.7686 ext. 7000.

Celebrate your love with limited time spa services and special – great for you or your valentine!

Tranquil Couples Massage Cost: $178 per couple

Enhance your Couples Massage with our Infinitely Loving Package for only $29 per guest: Your massages will be enhanced with our popular Glove Exfoliation Treatment, including His & Hers exfoliation gloves to take home. Following your massage, enjoy a 20-minute Chinese Jasmine infused private bath for two complete with a glass of champagne & gourmet Belgium chocolate.
Available: February 1-13, 2015. Not valid Tuesdays or Saturdays.

Reserve your spa appointment today by calling (844) 260-3673. Infinitely Loving Package is not available as a stand-alone service. It is only available when booked for 2 guests in combination with a Couples Massage. A 16% adjustable gratuity and 2% service charge will be added to all spa services. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability. Not valid in combination with any other discounts.

Valentine's Gift Certificate Special

Now through Valentine's Day (Feb 14, 2015), purchase a Crystal Spa Gift Certificate for a 50-minute Tranquil Massage, Espresso Mud Body Scrub or Pure Results Facial for only $99. Or, purchase an 80-minute Gift Certificate for a Tranquil Massage or Pure Results Facial for only $139. Includes gratuity. Gift Certificate is valid for one year from date of purchase. Gift certificate includes 16% gratuity and 2% service charge. Excludes: 12/25/15 – 1/2/16. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability. Not valid in combination with any other discounts.

Enjoy a tasty Valentine’s meal when you order off the Special Valentine’s Day Menu at Thistle Pub & Grill!
Menu is available Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 15.

Brian Lawson - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

It might not be a surprise that a two-time Olympic freestyle skier would visit Crystal Mountain. It is a ski resort, right? However, if I told you she wasn’t visiting for the snow or the slopes that might be a bit of a twist. She’s actually here for the spa.

Michelle Roark competed in the Olympic Games held Turin, Italy and Vancouver, British Columbia. She won a silver medal in the 2003 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships and has six World Cup victories since 1999. This world-class athlete will be at Crystal Spa on Thursday, December 11 (2-7pm) sharing the fruits (or as it happens fragrance) of her other great labor, chemical engineering.

That’s right, next to all those medals for her accomplishments in skiing hangs a degree in chemical engineering and the interesting part is how her life in skiing groomed the way to this new passion. Michelle believes that skiing is about being in tune with the five senses. Judging by her success in the sport you would think each was finely honed but one was more elusive to capture than the others. Sight, sound, touch and taste were in harmony but when she couldn’t find the right fragrance, she developed her own.

Roark’s pursuit to harness the fifth sense led to six years of research and the establishment of Phia Labs. What she found was that the complex molecular structures of nature’s purest ingredients can have a profound effect on a person’s wellbeing, inspiring adventure, focus, balance, imagination and confidence. Each of the five categories can be found on the Phia Energy Spectrum (be sure to give it a look on their website) which classifies the essential oils of plants, flowers and herbs to create a bouquet with distinct purpose to suit each person’s specific needs.

Meet the two-time Olympian and learn more about Phia at the Crystal Spa Open House on December 11. The event is FREE to attend (advanced reservation requested but not required) and includes mini-treatments, food and the chance to win one free treatment per month at Crystal Spa for an entire year!

Brian Lawson - Friday, July 25, 2014

As a public relations guy who just finished some "field research" at Crystal Spa I can tell you that it is a life-altering experience. Then again, as the "PR Guy" I probably carry some inherent bias. It doesn't mean I'm wrong but it's understandable if there's a little skepticism.

So when I recently ran across Conde Nast Traveler's post on Facebook, "6 Signs of a Very (Very, Very) Good Hotel Spa" I was intrigued to see how our spa stacked up against their guidelines. After all, it is a travel resource known for its rigorous standards and objectivity.

Separate Saunas and Steam Rooms for Men and WomenCheck! In each of the locker rooms you will find both a eucalyptus infused steam room and an infrared sauna. Both are a good reason to arrive 30 minutes to an hour before your service or for that matter, relax afterward.

No Communal Locker RoomsWhile very well-appointed, guests do have to share space in their respective locker rooms (one for men and one for women). However, there are curtains and private spaces in each if you're on the shy-side when changing.

A Comfortable Relaxation RoomThe picture below speaks a thousand words. Not pictured is the mosaic garden and outdoor hot tub just outside with heated floors so it can be enjoyed winter, spring, summer and fall.

A Well Stocked Spa BarLocally-grown Light of Day Organic Tea, cucumber water, fresh fruit and snack mixes are all complimentary to spa guests with attendants ready to serve from a menu of wines, Champaign, mimosas and Michigan craft beers available for purchase.

Eucalyptus Oil in the Steam Room (AKA The Little Touches)See eucalyptus infused steam room above but there are many more little touches worth experiencing like fluffy robes and towels, your own pair of slippers and the beautiful works of local artists like Ann Loveless, winner of Art Prize (Grand Rapids) in 2013.

Welcoming and Genuine StaffEach month Crystal Mountain honors a staff member with the Service Excellence Award, most of whom are nominated by guests. The Peak Fitness Center and Crystal Spa currently has five award winners (including last year's Service Excellence Employee of the Year).

With Conde Nast's measures of a very, very, very good spa in mind, I hope to have maybe earned a little more credibility. However, if you still need to check it out for yourself to be truly convinced, I won't be offended.